Footballers fire up for fundraiser

SUNSHINE Coast Fire coach Richard Hudson says he is close to nailing down his squad for the coming QSL season.

The Fire continued their preparation for their premiership defence with a 4-0 win over a Sunshine Coast Football Select side in a pre-season charity match at Martin's Creek Oval at Maroochydore on Wednesday night.

The Fire ran away with the game in the second half against a team made up of the best players from the Sunshine Coast Football competition.

Hudson said he was not reading too much into the match – the proceeds of which will go to the victims of the Queensland Floods – however was happy with the progress made by the side in the pre-season.

“It was a good win but it's still only pre-season,” he said.

“It is what it is. But we managed to get everyone out there and that's important.

“I should have a better idea of the squad by next week but we're coming together pretty well at the moment. I'm very happy with how they're playing.”

Scores were locked at nil-all at halftime before the Fire ran away with the match thanks to a hat-trick to midfielder Tyson Holmes and another goal to Ryan Delahunty.

The match was the Fire's second in as many nights after downing a Gympie Invitational team on Tuesday night.

Hudson said the highlights of the two matches were the performances of Japanese imports defender Takanori Sato and central midfielder Kota Shibahashi.

The pair arrived in Australia on Tuesday from the Japanese University League and will spend the entire season with the team.

Hudson said while neither spoke any English and communication had so far been difficult, they had already proven themselves capable performers and would add valuable depth to the squad.

“They played a game pretty much the first thing they did when they stepped off the plane,” he said.

“But you can see they've got a lot of ability and they're quick and very talented.

“They're really going to raise the bar in the squad.”

The Fire will play a pre-season match against perennial rivals and 2010 QSL runners-up the Brisbane Strikers in Logan on Sunday.

Hudson said the team was now well-placed going into their March 12 season kick-off.